Toothpick-holder.



J. G. LANNOYE.

TOOTHPICK HOLDER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10. 1916.

1,214,327., Patented J an. 30, 1917.

JOSEPH G. LHN NOYE.

amuwag JOSEPH G. LANNOYE, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

TOOTHPICK-HOLDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. so, 1917.

Application filed March 10, 1916. Serial No. 83,211.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrr-r G. LANNOYE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, county ofvVayne, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Toothpick- Holders, and declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to tooth pick holders and its object is a device for holding tooth picks in a manner to prevent contaminationof the ends thereof by the hands of individuals in removing a pick therefrom. lnordinary devices of this character, the ends of the picks are usually so presented that in taking a pick from the holder that the hand of the user contacts many more picks than the one removed. With the device here shown such contamination is impossible as the pick is removed from the holder by grasping the same between the thumb and finger at or near the center thereof, means being provided covering the ends and preventing a contact of the hand therewith and provision also being made to allow removal of the pick from the holder.

A further object is a device of the character stated in which picks may be readily inserted in the holder.

Another object is a sanitary holder adapted to hold the picks in a horizontal position enabling the user to separate a single pick from the mass carried by the holder.

A further object of the invention is a holder of unique and attractive form that is simple and inexpensive in construction.

These objects and the several novel features of the invention are hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tooth pick holder embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof. Fig. a is a section taken on line m-w of Fig. 2.

Similar characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawing and specification.

For use on a table or for similar use, the device is preferably made of metal and it is to be understood that the device may be cast or formed of sheet metal, or formed of other material without departing from the spirit of this invention. that the sheet metal form is preferable and the drawings illustrate the device as being formed of such material. The device consists of a bottom portion or support 1 of a length slightly greater than the length of the ordinary tooth-pick. End portions 2 and 3 substantially of the shape of an inverted v are provided extending upward from the base 1, and provided upon each side with the side members 4 and 5 similar in form. The side members on each end portion 2 and 3 extend toward each other leaving a central space 6 therebetween in which the fingers of the user may be in sorted for removal of a pick. The picks lie in a V shaped stack'as may be understood from the drawings, particularly Figs. 2 and 4.

The side plates 4 and 5 at each end of the device cover the ends of the Picks and prevent contact of the hand of the user therewith. These parts a and 5 in each case are spaced apart at the upper end as shown particularly in Fig. 4, forming a throat through which the pick must pass in being removed from the holder. The upper converging ends of these parts i and 5 have outwardly bent portions 7 and 8 forming guides for the insertion of a new bundle of picks. These guides permit the ready insertion of the picks between the upper converging ends of the side members a and 5 at each end.

If formed of sheet metal as here shown, the end members 2 and 3 are integral with the base 1 and turned at a right angle thereto and the side members 4 and 5 are folded substantially at a right angle to the supporting portion 2 or 3. The base memher 1 has longitudinal side flanges 10 and 11 on each side thereof to which the lower ends of the members 4 and 5 may be secured in any approved manner if desired. The ends of the members f and 5 extend over these side portions 10 and 11 in the preferable form of the device as may be understood from the drawings but may be as readily placed on the inside thereof.

As before stated the device may be formed in any approved manner either of a casting or sheet metal, or any other desired material, the essential characteristic being the provis1on of a covering for the ends of the picks when in the holder to prevent contact I consider.

of the hand of the user therewith, and the form of the holder requiring that the pick be grasped at or near the center thereof and that a pick may not be removed from the holder without so grasping it.

Having thus briefly described my invention, and its utility, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States isl. A holder for toothpicks or the like formed of a single sheet of material having a central base portion with upturned longitudinal edges of comparatively small width and similar end members of an inverted V shape extending upwardly at a right angle to the said end and overlapping the upturned portions of the base.

2. A device of the character described comprising a base member, end members extending upwardly therefrom substantially of the form of an inverted V, each having side portions extending part way of the length of the base, the two adjacent upper ends of the side portions of each end men1- ber being spaced apart and extending out wardly from each other providing guides for the insertion of the picks into the holder.

3. A device of the character described formed of a single sheet of suit-able material comprising a central base member, end members bent at a right angle thereto substantially of the form of an inverted V, side portions on said end members extending over the base less than half the length thereof providing openings between the side portions on opposite ends, the side portions being spaced at the top to allow removal of the picks from the device.

at. A device of the character described comprising a base or support for the picks, end members extending upwardly therefrom at each end substantially of the form of an inverted V, side portions on each end piece, the side members on one piece extending toward the other side portions on the other piece, and being spaced therefrom exposing the central portion of the picks, the side portions at the top being formed to provide an opening at each end to allow removal of the picks therefrom, and a guide piece on each side portion extending outwardly therefrom substantially as described.

5. A device of the character described formed of sheet metal comprising abase or supporting member for the picks having longitudinal upturned side flanges, integral end portions substantially of the form of an inverted V, side members on said end portions adapted to shield the ends of the picks from contact with the hand, and leaving the central portion of the picks uncovered, said side portions lying at an angle one to the other in substantially the form of an inverted V, and being out of contact at the top providing an opening through which the ends of the picks may pass in removing a/ pick from the device.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specification.

JOSEPH G. LANNOYE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G. 

